Yarn swift



y 1937- A. BRUGGER 2,080,650

YARN SWIFT Filed Jan. 3, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR.

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. Z ATTZZNEY.

May 18, 1937. A BRUGGER 2,080,650

YARN SWIFT Filed Jan. 5, 1935 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

ATTORNEY.

Patented May 18, 1937 UNITED STATES YARN SWIFT Albert Briigger,

Application January Philadelphia, Pa.

3, 1935, Serial No. 205

In France February 23, 1934 9 Claims.

My invention relates to the winding of textile fibres and relates particularly to a device suitable for supporting all sizes of skeins of textile fibres or yarns such as rayon, raw silk, organzine,

5 spun silk, cotton, wool or linen.

It is an object of my invention to embody in a swift or reel a plurality of cross-bars comprised of flexible wire arms whereby the cake of yarn may be easily inserted upon the cross-bars.

Another object of my invention is to embody flexible cross-bars on a swift, that is adjustable as to its diameter, but when the device is once adjusted it need not be readjusted due to the flexibility of the cross-bars which permit a new skein to be inserted upon the cross-bars.

Another object of my invention is to embody in a swift, cross-bars which support skeins of yarn and which are always equidistant from the center of the swifts axis, thus creating a balanced swift.

Another object of my invention is to construct the parts of the swift so that when the parts are assembled into a completed swift, the swift will be balanced and so it may rotate uniformly.

Another object of my invention is to embody in a swift, means whereby the diameter of the swift may be expanded and means for placing a uniform tension on the skein or cake of fibre.

Another object of my invention is to construct parts of a swift which are of a rigid construction, which are interchangeable, and which are easy to assemble.

A further object of my invention is to provide improved means for uniformly tensioning the yarn.

A further object of my invention is to construct the cross-bars so that one end thereof may form a guide for the skein or cake of fibres as the skein is being placed upon the cross-bars.

With the above and related objects in view, my invention consists in the construction and combination of parts as will hereinafter be described in detail, when the detailed description is read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: v

Fig. l is a perspective view of a swift having a cake of fibre thereon, with the swift mounted to rotate on a vertically extending axis, and a fibre compensating device in engagement with the fibre.

Fig. 2 is an exploded view showing the pertinent elements comprising the swift.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary view of the cross-bar members located adjacent the flange.

Fig. 4 is a sectional view of the swift shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged sectional view of the guide and holding plate in normal and in compressed position.

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of one of the flexible cross-arms embodied in the swift shown in Figs. 1 and 4.

Fig. 7 is a sectional view taken on the line 'l'l of Fig. 4.

Fig. 8 is a plan view of the guide and holding plate.

Fig. 9 is a sectional View taken on the line 9-9 of Fig. 4 showing the reel in expanded position.

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary elevational view illustrating a modified type of swift, a cake holding plate in position, and a means for tensioning the swift comprising a strap and a cooperative weight.

Fig. 11 is a swift showing a modification over Fig. 10 mounted to rotate on a horizontal axis, with a cone which serves to easily guide the ball of yarn which has come directly from the spinning mill.

Fig. 12 is a side elevational view of a modified construction of a flexible holding bar.

Fig. 13 is a side elevational view of another modification of a flexible holding bar.

Fig. 14 is a perspective View of an enlarged plate for retaining the cake on a horizontally positioned swift.

Fig. 15 is a side-elevational view of the plate shown in Fig. 10.

Fig. 16 is a perspective view of a modified device for tensioning the yarn.

Referring now to the drawings, in Figs. 1, 2 and 3 I disclose a swift or reel comprised of a wooden or metal reel, generally designated as A; a plurality of flexible wire cross-bars or cross-arms, each of which is generally designated as B, and which are suitably attached to the reel A; a plurality of combined guides and holding plates, each of which is generally designated as C, which are located at each end of the wooden reel A; and interfitting with the reel A is an axle, generally designated as D, that joins, supports, and rotates each of the plates C; a key, generally designated as E, is adapted to provide relative movement between the reel A and the plates C whereby the diameter of the swift may be optionally expanded or reduced; and a lock nut, generally designated as F, locks the parts hereinbefore generically described in a fixed position.

In Fig. l the swift is shown as being mounted on a vertical axis with a skein or cake of yarn, fibre, or thread mounted thereon, which skein has come from the spinning mill. The yarn passes through an eye ill on one end of a pendulum, generally designated as G, which leans upon the thread due to its pivoted upper end and the fact that it is raised from its lowermost position which it otherwise may assume. The pendulum G compensates for the diiierence in tension which is produced when the thread is pulled by the mechanism that reels a bobbin (not shown) onto which the thread is wound. By means of the pendulum G, yarn or thread will be rew'ound upon the bobbin or second reel (not shown) at a uniform tension.

Referring now in greater detail to the elements comprising the swift, illustrated in Figs. 1, 2, and 3, the reel A comprises a hollow nave l2 having flanges l 4, i5 attached at each end thereof. Each of the flanges I4, l6 has a plurality of aligned, equi-spaced small openings 18 on the outer flat surface for receiving the ends 20, 2| of each of the cross-bars or cross-arms B, which carry the cake of fibre. Diametrically opposed openings 23, 24011 the flange [6 receive the legs 25, 26 respectively of the key E.

The cross-arm B, on which a skein of yarn rests, is comprised of a single length of pliable wire. The end 2| which interfits with one of the openings i8 on the flange [6 has a right angle portion 21. From the other end of the right angle portion 21, the wire reverses itself to form a substantially parallel thread retainer, designated as 28; the wire is then bent to form a cross-bar 29, which is substantially parallel to the end 2|, and a plurality of undulations are formed in the cross-bar 29. The free end, designated as 30, of the cross-bar 2 is bent to run parallel to itself and it also tapers towards the axis of the reel A if the axis of the reel A were extended. The cross-arm is continued to run parallel to the cross-bar 29, as at 30A, and then is bent at right angles, as at 31, where the portion 3| is joined to the end 20 which interfits with the opening l8 on the flange M. The ends 20, 2| are in alignment, although spaced apart, and form pivots about which the cross-arm B oscillates. When the cross-arms B are assembled upon the reel A, the bent portions 30 converge to form substan tially a truncated cone, as is illustrated in Figs. 1 and 4, whereby the placing of the cake of thread on the swift is facilitated, particularly since the cone portions of the cross-bars are flexible and may be bent inwardly. The swinging of the cross-bar B about its pivoted ends determines the distance of the cross-bar 29 from the center of the swift.

As the end 30 of the cross-bar is located a. comparatively long distance from its nearest supporting end 28, it is comparatively flexible as compared to the thread retainer 28. Thus, a cake of yarn may be pushed upon the truncated cone, which is flexible and responds to the pushing force of the cake of yarn. When the arms B are adjusted for a particular size of cake, it need not be re-adjusted when another cake is placed thereon.

Although the cross-bar B has been described as applicable to an adjustable reel, the crossbar B may also be advantageously embodied in a reel that is not adjustable in diameter.

Each of the combined guide and holding plates C are identically constructed and therefore only support about which the swift rotates.

one plate will be described. The plate C, placed to interlock the cross-arms and the reel A, is comprised of a metal stamping having a circular disc portion 33, and the periphery of the disc portion is bent to form a flange 35. The internal diameter of the flange 35 is slightly in excess of the diameter of each of the flanges I4, IS in order that the flanges will. overlap. A plurality of equispaced peripheral slots 31 are cut into the flange 35 and into the extremity of the disc portion 33. The center of the disc is cut away to form an aperture 38 which has two radially extending slots 39. Although two slots are disclosed but one slot is necessary. Within the flat disc are two arcuate slots 40, 4| which permit the legs 25, 26 of the key E to move the reel A when the plate C is interposed between the key and the reel A. Surrounding the aperture 38 and its connecting slots 39 on the disc 33 is a bead 43. The inner surface of the bead is adapted to tightly press against the exterior flat wall of the flange, in order to lock the device in a definite position, as shall hereinafter be described.

However, a plurality of finger flanges or grips may be integrally formed with the plate C to hold the plate during the turning of the key E.

The finger flanges, it is to be observed, should. extend in the opposite direction to the flange 35.

The axle D has a central bore 50 which extends partially through the longitudinal axis of the axle. The bore serves as a journal for the swift. Diametrically positioned wings 52 of metal are rigidly attached as part of the axle and a boss 54 on each wing prevents the movement of the axle through the aperture 38 and the slots 39 on the plate C. The other end is threaded, as at 56, to receive a locking wing nut F'.

Interposed between the plate C and the locking nut F is the key E. The key is comprised of a metallic stamping wherein parallel extending legs 25, 26 are formed from the body portion 56. A central aperture 58 is formed in the body portion for the passage of the axle D and concentric with the aperture 58 are two arcuate flanges 60, 6|, which flanges are adapted to press against the disc 33 of the plate C whereby the cross-arms B willbe locked in position. 7 i

A vertically positioned shaft or pivot 64 interfits with the bore 50 of the axle and serves asthe The shaft 64 is threaded at one end and retains a cup 65 which is held in position by virtue of nuts 68, 69 pressing washers against the flat portion of the cup 66. The threaded end of the shaft is of suflicient length to pass through an aperture in a supporting bracket 12 where a nut 14 holds the shaft on the bracket 12.

The cup 66 serves a duel purpose of preventing loose thread from encircling the shaft 64 and, also. serves as a support for the shaft. The cup 66 for most effective service should be raised sufilciently so that the lip of the cup surrounds the nut F.

A strip of wire 14, bent in the form of a circle with each end formed as a hook to overlap the body of the wire, provides an additional strengthening support for the bars B and is arranged to lie adjacent the junction of the portions 21, 2B" of the cross-arm. The wire 14 also prevents the yarn from catching in parts of the cross-arms and is expansible in a manner to follow the extension and the folding of the cross-arms.

A summary of the assembly and of the operation of my invention is as follows:--

The cross-bars B are assembled upon the wooden or metal reel A so that each cross-bar is inclined in the same direction as is illustrated in Fig. 7. The plates C are placed in position so that the portions 21 and 30A of each cross-bar are interfitting with the peripheral slots 31 on the plates C; however, the plate C, which is placed upon the flange I6, must be located so that the arcuate slots 40, 4! permit the key E to be turned a distance equal to the length of each of the arcs in order to extend the diameter of the swift from a minimum value to a maximum value.

The axle D is next inserted through the opening in the plate C, the opening in the nave I2, and the opening in the second plate C. The key E is slipped over the threaded end of the axle so that the openings 23, 24 in the flange register with the fingers 25, 26 of the key. The wing nut F is then screwed upon the threads 56 of the axle D.

To alter the diameter of the swift, the nut F is loosened and the key E is turned while both of the plates C are held firmly, as the above operation is performed the cross-bars B are shifted by sliding in the slots 3! from the minimum diameter, shown in Fig. 7, to the maximum diameter, shown in Fig. 9, or to any intermediate diameter. The nut F is then turned to hold the plates C firmly against the flanges of the reel A, see Figs. 4 and 5, whereby the diameter of the swift is fixed. With a cake of yarn in position on the swift, the swift is placed upon the vertically extending shaft and a thread Y is unwound and passedthrough the eye I0 which has a face of porcelain and over a loose running pulley comprised of porcelain.

After the swift is once adjusted in diameter, it is not necessary to alter the diameter just so long as skeins of the same diameter are to be used. The second skein is merely pushed upon the cone shaped portion of the cross-bars and the inherent resiliency of the cross-bars adjust themselves to the skein of yarn.

Referring now to Fig. 11 I disclose another modification of my invention.

The variable diameter swift, generally designated as H, is adapted to be mounted upon a horizontally extending axis 90. A tension weight or brake, for holding the yarn taut, may be placed upon a pulley 92 located adjacent one end of the shaft or a weight 94 may be hung by a strap 96 on the nave 98 of the swift A. The size of weight may be varied to suit different conditions.

A modified type of cross-bar, generally designated as J, is comprised of metal wire, as is illustrated in Fig. 13. The cross-bar H has an inturned tip I00 and an upstanding portion I02, which is connected at one end to the tip I00, and its other end I04 is reversely bent to run parallel to the portion I02 for a short distance. A cross-bar I06, extending at substantially a right angle, proceeds from the portion I04, and the cross-bar I06 has a plurality of ripples therein to prevent the loosening of the fibre or yarn. The end of the cross-bar I06 is formed into a holding member, designated as I08, which is shaped similar to the portions I02, I04 but of smaller size in order to serve as a support, at the time of the introduction of a cake of yarn, for the interior surface of a coneshaped funnel, generally designated as K. The funnel guides the central portion of the cake of fibre upon the cross-arms so that the interiorly located fibres do not catch upon any protrusions and so break any of the fibres.

The wire continues from the portion I08 to an arm I09, which is parallel to the arm I02, and

guide plate C, see Fig. 10. The extended arm I04 prevents the cake of yarn from slipping by the other end of the swift.

The detachable metallic flange L 'is formed on a stamping press and has a circular flat disclike peripheral portion HE. A bead II4 formed near the periphery strengthens the disc-like portion. Converging ridges I I6 on the disc-like portion also strengthen the plate. An internal flange II 8 is adapted to tightly fit upon the outer circular flange of the plate C, and an offset I20, parallel to the portion II 2, limits the inward movement of flange L. Extending outwardly. from the offset I20 are diametrically positioned projecting ears I2I, I22 in order to grasp the flange while it is to be inserted on the plate C or it is to be removed. A plurality of slots I24 are disposed in the flange H8 and the fiat por tion H2 in order to permit the cross arms 'to be expanded without any hindrance from the side flange L. During the machine stamping operation in forming the detachable flange L, a small portion of the metal I26, adjacent the flange I I8, is pressed outwardly so that the metal I26 is substantially coplanar to the flange. A slight bevel is formed on the metal extension I26 so that it will easily slide on or off the flange of the plate C.

The detachable flange L may be constructed either for the left or the right hand side, the only difference between the two flanges is in the inclination of the slots through which the cross arms pass, the slots in one flange being inclined-in one direction and the slots in the other flange being inclined in another direction.

In Fig. 12, I disclose a modified construction of the cross-bar which is generally designated as M. The construction is similar to the cross-bar illustrated in Fig. 13, except that the right-hand portionof the bar M forms a right angle. The cross-bar may, also, be constructed without the ripples in the cross-arm on which the fibres rest.

In Fig. 16 a simplified device for tensioning the yarn Y is illustrated. The yarn Y passes from the adjustable diameter swift to a bobbin N and is held away from the bracket 12 by means of a suitably located eye-hook I32. A compensator comprised of a cylindrical wire I34 has its ends I36, I31 bent at right angles to the main body portion, and the ends extend in opposite directions but in the same plane.

The end I3! is located so that it is not in its extreme downward position, but it is permitted to rest upon the yarn so that the yarn is ten-. sioned.

In Fig. 11 I disclosev the modified type of axle 90 of polygonal cross-sectional formation. A spring leg pin I52 is located to limit the movement of the plate C when the lock nut F is unloosened; otherwise, the plates 0 would separate from the flanges of the reel as Well as separate from the cross-bars. The pin I52 interfitting with a groove on the axle 90, thus prevents the annoying experience of having the swift H from becoming disassembled. The left hand end of the axle 90 has means (not shown), such as an extruded portion, to limit the movement of the plate at the left hand side.

The pendulum G, shown in Fig. 1, is mounted upon one end of a bracket I54, and the other end of the bracket is held between the base '10 of the cup. and the bracket 12. I

' Although myinvention has been described in considerable detail, such description is intended as illustrative rather than limiting, since the invention may be variously embodied, and the scope of'the invention is to be determined as claimed.

I claim as my invention:

1. An adjustable diameter swift comprising a reel having a flange at each end thereof, and one flange having an opening near its periphery, a plurality of cross-bars pivotally mounted upon the flanges of the reel, a plurality of plates, each plate having a plurality of recesses therein and being'located adjacent each flange whereby a recess interfits with a portion of the cross-bar, a shaft having a central bore whereby the bore may function as a bearing, said plates being mounted upon the said shaft and keyed together so that they rotate in unison, a key loosely mounted upon said shaft, an extension on, said key and interfitting with theopening on one of the reel flanges whereby the reel and the key may be rotated with respect to the plates in order to oscillate the cross-bars about their respective pivots so that the diameter of the yarn carrying cross-bars is increased or decreased.

2. The subject matter as set forth in claim 1, and a pivot interfitting with the central bore of said shaft and about which pivot the reel is rotatable.

3. A demountable end plate of stamped metal sheeting adapted to be placed upon one end of a swift comprising a disc, a bead formed on said disc to strengthen said disc, a plurality of angularly disposed openings therein being adapted to receive and guide swift cross-bars, and an inner flange adapted to firmly set upon one peripheral rim of said swift.

4. A demountable end plate of stamped metal sheeting adapted to be placed upon one end of a swift comprising a disc, a bead formed on said disc to strengthen said disc, a plurality of angularly disposed openings therein being adapted to receive and guide swift cross-bars, an inner flange adapted to firmly set upon one peripheral rim of said swift, and a plurality of members out from said disc and which extend parallel to said inner flange.

5. A demountable end plate of stamped metal sheeting adapted to be placed upon one end of a swift comprising a flat inner disc, means to strengthen said plate, a plurality of angularly disposed slots in said plate therein, said slots being adapted to receive and to guide swift cross-bars, means to grasp a peripheral rim of said swift, and means for an operator to hold said plate, said means being located to extend on the outside surface of said plate.

6. A demountableguide and holding plate of stamped metal sheeting for an adjustable diameter swift comprising a circular disc having a central opening, a flange on the inner peripheral portion of said circular disc, a plurality of equispaced peripheral notches on the flange and the inner extremity of the disc portion, each of said notches being adapted to receive a portion of a cross-bar whereby the cross-bar is guided, and

a bead on said disc adjacent said central opening.

'7. A yarn swift comprising a reel having a flange at each end thereof, each flangehaving a plurality of openings therein, a plurality of wire supporting members having their ends interfitting with aligned openings in the reel flanges, each of said supporting members being substantially rigid on one end and comparatively flexible on the other end of the swift whereby a cake a of yarn may easily be placed upon the supporting members, each supporting member being substantially parallel to the axes of the reel'between the flanges, and the flexible end of the supporting member extending for a distance greaterthan that necessary to support the cake and converging whereby the cake of yarn may be guided upon the supporting member and means for adjusting the diameter of said supporting mem-.

bers, said means comprising a plurality of plates having peripheral openings therein which receive a portion of the supporting members whereby movement of the plate oscillates the supporting members from their pivotal point, a

shaft connecting the said plates, a key mounted upon one end of said shaft and interfitting with a cooperative opening in one of the flanges of the reel whereby the reel may be moved with respect to the end plate for adjusting the diameter of the yarn carrying wire supporting members, and a lock-nut for holding the end plate,.

the shaft, and the spool rigidly together.

8. A yarn reel comprising a reel having a flange at each end; each flange having a plurality of equi-spaced openings therein and said openings in one flange in alignment with similar openings in the other flange; a plurality of cross-bars; each cross-bar comprising a piece of wire formed to include a portion extending outwardly and then inwardly at substantially a right angle withrespect to the axis of said rcelwhereby a side of a cake of yarn may be supported, said wire continued to extend substantially parallel to the axis of the reel, said wire continued to overlap one end of said reel, said overlapping cross-bars forming a flexible frustro conical member, and each end of said cross-bar fltting' into aligned openings in the flanges of the reel whereby each cross-bar is pivotally mounted.

9. A yarn reel comprising a reel having a flange at each end thereof; a plurality of wire cross-bars; each flange of said reel having a plurality of equi-spaced openings therein; the openings in each of the flanges being in alignment; each cross-bar including aligned ends interfitting with the complementary aligned openings in said flanges, a portion of each of said crossbars extending outwardly and then inwardly at substantially a right angle with respect to the axis of said reel wherebya side of a cake of yarn may be supported, another portion of said cross-bar extending substantially parallel to the 

